Extreme Sailing photo: Extreme Recess – Wisconsin

Provide adaptive sports and other exciting activities for children with disabilities.

No child should ever know the feeling of isolation. Unfortunately children with disabilities experience this feeling on a regular basis. Children with disabilities deserve the opportunity to feel confident, have high self-esteem, and included. Dreams for Kids created Extreme Recess in 2000. Today, Extreme Recess provides youth living with disabilities in the Chicago area the opportunity to participate in exciting and challenging sports, often for the very first time. From adaptive water-skiing, to sailing, to hockey, and even scuba diving, Extreme Recess gives children with disabilities what they need: an opportunity. An opportunity that reinforces a child’s positive belief in their own abilities. Extreme Recess provides the programming not available through park districts or through the public school systems. We would love the opportunity to allow more children with disabilities the chance to experience this life changing program. When children with disabilities believe in themselves, it spreads to other aspects in their lives and the lives around them. Coming from the sidelines and into the activities of their dreams, brings children the joy of teammates and friends who cheer for their abilities. Since children with disabilities often are not active participants in sporting events, they don’t get the exercise they need to be healthy. The exercise the participants get from Extreme Recess improves circulation, heart rate, muscle tone, and most importantly, improves quality of life. The benefits of Extreme Recess inspires participants, families and the community. This positive attitude carries into the classroom and empowers children with a passion for learning and building their dreams. Extreme Recess impacts the lives of the children, but it also has a positive impact on the community as a whole. It brings people together, builds relationships, and raises awareness of the abilities of our participants.